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Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity between Chemical Disinfectants on Contaminated Orthodontic Pliers
Maria Reggiani Azevedo Carvalho1, Marcos André dos Santos da Silva1, Carla Adriana Rodrigues de Sousa Brito2
1Department of Postgraduation in Dentistry, CEUMA University, Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil.
Aim:
To compare the antimicrobial activity of the chemical substances--70% isopropyl alcohol, 2% glutaraldehyde (GTA) and 0.25% peracetic acid (PAA) in disinfecting orthodontic pliers contaminated in vitro with Streptococcui mutani, Staphylococci aureui and Candida albicani.
Materials And Methods:
Distal end cutter pliers were divided into five groups: group 1 (negative control--sterilized pliers), group 2 (positive control--sterilized plier, subsequently contaminated), group 3 (disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol, friction method), group 4 (disinfected with 2% GTA, immersion method for 30 minutes), group 5 (disinfected with 0.25% peracetic acid (PAA), immersion method for 10 minutes). After the pliers were treated with one disinfectant and submitted to microbiological evaluation (by counting colony forming units), they were submitted to the same cleansing, sterilizing and contaminating processes, and were used in the following groups (crossover and washout study). The two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, followed by the Tukey test, was used to compare the groups.
Results:
The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the three tested disinfectants.
Conclusion:
Although there were no statistically significant differences between the disinfectants, the chemical agents 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.25% PAA were effective in inhibiting the growth of the three microorganisms tested; however, 70% isopropyl alcohol was unable to completely eliminate S. aureui.
Clinical Significance:
The chemical substances 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.25% PAA completely eliminated the microorganisms tested.
Insights
Two percent glutaraldehyde and 0.25% peracetic acid effectively disinfected orthodontic pliers, eliminating tested microorganisms. Seventy percent isopropyl alcohol showed limited effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Dental Materials Science
- Infection Control
Background:
- Orthodontic pliers can harbor microorganisms like Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.
- Effective disinfection of dental instruments is crucial for preventing cross-contamination and healthcare-associated infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the antimicrobial efficacy of 70% isopropyl alcohol, 2% glutaraldehyde (GTA), and 0.25% peracetic acid (PAA) in disinfecting contaminated orthodontic pliers.
Main Methods:
- Orthodontic pliers were contaminated in vitro with S. mutans, S. aureus, and C. albicans.
- Pliers were disinfected using 70% isopropyl alcohol (friction), 2% GTA (30-min immersion), or 0.25% PAA (10-min immersion).
- Microbiological evaluation was performed by counting colony-forming units (CFUs).
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was found between the three tested disinfectants.
- Both 2% GTA and 0.25% PAA demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of all tested microorganisms.
- 70% isopropyl alcohol failed to completely eliminate S. aureus.
Conclusions:
- While no significant difference was observed statistically, 2% glutaraldehyde and 0.25% peracetic acid completely eliminated the tested microorganisms.
- 70% isopropyl alcohol was less effective, particularly against S. aureus.
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